Statement of PurposeReflecting on the Mission Statement and Core Values of St. Vincent Healthcare, the Ethics Committee serves as a resource to foster communication and education about moral and ethical issues and clinical decision-making. The Ethics Committee seeks to promote patient care through dignity, respect and dialogue.

The Ethics ConsultationThe goal of an ethics consultation is to focus on the ethical issues which may arise during a patient's care in order to enhance the quality of care. Ethics consultations provide support and guidance for family members and care providers.

Who can request an Ethics Consultation?The Ethics Committee is available to provide ethics consultations. A consultation with the ethics consultation team can be requested by a patient, a family member or any healthcare provider directly involved in the patient's care or administration.

What should be considered when requesting a consultation?

Why the consultation is needed

Patient's rights

Patient wishes and values

Family's wishes

Integrity of caregivers

Medical facts

Current knowledge of the patient's condition

Authorized decision-maker

Options available

Benefits and burdens to patient

Nature of any disagreements

When is an Ethics Consultation appropriate?

When the ethical issues are unclear

When decision-making cannot be completed

When a decision-maker cannot be identified

When there is a significant disagreement among patient, family and/or care providers